Google eBook shuns Kindle, but supports PDFs

 

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By Nicole Kobie

Posted on 6 Dec 2010 at 15:42

Google has opened the doors of its new eBook store, saying that the Amazon Kindle won't be supported.

However, while the Kindle's own .azw format isn't on offer, and the Amazon reading device doesn't support the Google bookstore's standard ePub format, both support PDFs.

"We designed Google eBooks to be open," product manager Abraham Murray said in the Google blog. "Many devices are compatible with Google eBooks — everything from laptops to netbooks to tablets to smartphones to eReaders."

Despite that claim, Google stresses that Kindles aren't supported. "Currently, Google eBooks are not compatible with Amazon Kindle devices, though we are open to supporting them in the future," Google states on its eBooks website.

Amazon.co.uk had no comment on when or if the Kindle would be supported. While the Google store also appears to offer PDF versions of books, which Kindle owners can easily transfer to their device over USB, an Amazon spokeswoman still insisted Kindle owners were out of luck.

Those without Amazon's Kindle can read the extensive book collection via web browsers as well as Android or Apple devices using the Google Books app. Google's books can also be read using any eBook reader that supports Adobe's eBook format, including Sony's Reader lineup and Barnes & Noble's Nook.

Amazon's Kindle represents about half of the US eReader market, but is facing a stiff challenge from Apple, which has nabbed a 32% share this year with the launch of the iPad, according to ChangeWave Research.

UK versus US

Google said the bookstore would offer hundreds of thousands of books for sale, but so far only to US users.

"The latest Google eBooks are not available for sale in your location, yet," the site states. "Google is working with publishers around the world to let you buy the latest ebooks from top authors. In the meantime, you can still browse millions of free and public domain Google eBooks and read them effortlessly across your devices."

An international rollout should start next year, a Google spokesperson said. However, free books are still available to download by UK users.